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Can cats be trained like dogs?
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01-01-2013 6:06pm#1I've been kind of thinking about getting a cat for a while now, and I haven't had a cat since I was a kid so there are lots of things that I would need to figure out before seriously considering it! One of the main things is the question in the title, can cats be trained like dogs to behave well, not walk around on the counters and eat the food off your plate etc?
Or do cats just follow their own rules and not really listen? I'd imagine they're probably more stubborn than dogs, since they don't have that same need to please their owner, but with the right training, would it be possible to have an obedient, well-behaved cat? 0
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Ah, yes and no. My cats are (mostly) little angels when supervised, never will go on counters etc but the second they are left in the room alone Peach will go up on the counters and sit in the sink. If she's caught she knows she's wrong and jumps straight down but it still doesn't stop her when she knows she won't be caught! But saying that they can be trained but it's by their own terms, like I've trained both of mine to sit, speak and give kisses but they will only ever do it for food. Except Cream when it comes to kisses, he just likes kissing
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Thanks for the replies!
SillyMangoX, your cats sound lovely. I wouldn't mind if the cat was on the counters when no one's in the kitchen, but if someone's trying to cook and there's a cat walking all over place - no thanks! :eek:
Nody, you're right. I wouldn't want the cat to completely stop behaving like a cat!
How would you go on about training a cat then? The same way as a dog, just repeating things until it learns what it's supposed to do or what?
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Takes a lot longer than with dogs, and cats are extremely stubborn for the most part, I just got lucky with my 2 babies :P Their personalities can have a lot to do with it too though, like one of mine is a little shy and he will just sit on the floor waiting for a treat very patiently, the other will be jumping up clawing at the treat and she will sit on me while I'm eating my dinner. But I wouldn't change them for the world If you do get a cat make sure to post pics
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SillyMangoX wrote: »Takes a lot longer than with dogs, and cats are extremely stubborn for the most part, I just got lucky with my 2 babies :P Their personalities can have a lot to do with it too though, like one of mine is a little shy and he will just sit on the floor waiting for a treat very patiently, the other will be jumping up clawing at the treat and she will sit on me while I'm eating my dinner. But I wouldn't change them for the world If you do get a cat make sure to post pics
That's interesting, I've actually read somewhere that male cats tend to be calmer, more obedient and more relaxed and female cats are usually more feisty and stubborn. Anyway if I am able to get a cat, I'll definitely post pictures! 0 -
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Well that seems simple enough! I always thought cats were really hard to train compared to dogs. Cats don't seem like they feel guilty when they do something forbidden.
Being lone predators by nature, they haven't had the need to develop the range of social behaviours that dogs have. Nor have they developed the same facial anatomy, which makes them look impassive. I think that's one of the reasons some people dislike cats for being 'sneaky.' Their solitary nature might also explain why they are not as actively co-operative as dogs.
Anyhoo, dogs don't do guilt. We misinterpret their apprehension for guilt when they sense our anger.
You can train cats to do all kinds of things - even agility! The difficulty is finding something to motivate them with. Foodie cats are easier to train. Although I really don't see the point, to be honest. I prefer to let cats be cats. 0 -
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Being lone predators by nature, they haven't had the need to develop the range of social behaviours that dogs have. Nor have they developed the same facial anatomy, which makes them look impassive. I think that's one of the reasons some people dislike cats for being 'sneaky.' Their solitary nature might also explain why they are not as actively co-operative as dogs.
Anyhoo, dogs don't do guilt. We misinterpret their apprehension for guilt when they sense our anger.
You can train cats to do all kinds of things - even agility! The difficulty is finding something to motivate them with. Foodie cats are easier to train. Although I really don't see the point, to be honest. I prefer to let cats be cats.
Oh, that makes sense then! I wouldn't necessary want to do agility or anything like that, I'd just like to teach the cat a few things that I'd like it to do or not do. Mainly stuff to do with food and hygiene!
Thanks for the great replies everyone, you've been very helpful. 0 -
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I am the owner of a cat for the first time having been a dog owner all my life.
By now I am a little more aware of the differences between cats and dogs and am happy to appreciate them both.
Animal Planet have a television series called the Cat Whisperer and like the Dog whisperer he goes to visit people who are having trouble with their pets and shows them what the animal needs and what they need to do to make for a happier relationship.
Like most things it is usually the human that needs the training in order to modify the behaviour of the animal.
The main thing seems to be consistency and to decide what you want from your pet and encourage that behaviour from the start. No letting cute puppy or kitten up on things you dont want the adult to be up on for example.
Next thing seems to be to provide alternatives. So if kitty needs to have a high place to view whats going on out of interest or in order to feel safe you need to provide that place for her to be and not just demand that kitty not get up on what is available. You can buy tall cat stands that provide a place for a cat to sit to look out a window or you can put up shelves that the cat can jump up onto to get height and safety or you can allow the cat onto particular areas like the top of a dresser etc.
Cats need areas to feel safe in and to retreat to if necessary. They need to be amused, played with and stimulated or they will create their own entertainment. They need a scratching post or they will scratch furniture and they need clean litter every day and access to that litter at all times.
Anyway YouTube can supply some interesting videos.
heres a link to a video on how to begin training cats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okty_dX-FTk0 -
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I am the owner of a cat for the first time having been a dog owner all my life.
By now I am a little more aware of the differences between cats and dogs and am happy to appreciate them both.
Animal Planet have a television series called the Cat Whisperer and like the Dog whisperer he goes to visit people who are having trouble with their pets and shows them what the animal needs and what they need to do to make for a happier relationship.
Like most things it is usually the human that needs the training in order to modify the behaviour of the animal.
The main thing seems to be consistency and to decide what you want from your pet and encourage that behaviour from the start. No letting cute puppy or kitten up on things you dont want the adult to be up on for example.
Next thing seems to be to provide alternatives. So if kitty needs to have a high place to view whats going on out of interest or in order to feel safe you need to provide that place for her to be and not just demand that kitty not get up on what is available. You can buy tall cat stands that provide a place for a cat to sit to look out a window or you can put up shelves that the cat can jump up onto to get height and safety or you can allow the cat onto particular areas like the top of a dresser etc.
Cats need areas to feel safe in and to retreat to if necessary. They need to be amused, played with and stimulated or they will create their own entertainment. They need a scratching post or they will scratch furniture and they need clean litter every day and access to that litter at all times.
Anyway YouTube can supply some interesting videos.
heres a link to a video on how to begin training cats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okty_dX-FTk
Thanks for the great post and the Youtube links! I'll watch them later tonight. I'd definitely get a scratching post for the cat, preferably one that's tall enough for it to climb and sit on it too. It's been so long since I've had a cat, I can't remember what it's like owning one! Especially because I was a kid when my family had cats and my parents took care of feeding them. None of the cats we had were very social either, they were just... there. His name is Jackson Galaxy and the show is known as "My Cat from Hell"; strongly recommended for any person who's a cat owner as you can pick up nice tips in there. There is also more on his web site. Be warned that if you do look at the series that you'll be dismayed every so often ("Do you think him not being neutered has anything to do with his behaviour of running out at every oppertunity?" "We have not gotten time to spray her yet; is that bad?" etc. but season 3 was just bad... esp. the chihua mother and the "healer" episodes)
I've heard of that show actually, I've been meaning to watch an episode. Thanks for reminding me! 0 -
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My cats recall is fantastic, 100%. If you call him him you get a big "miaooooooooow" in response followed by thunder-steps down the stairs. It's so cute.
He also sits, when he feels like it. He goes up/down stairs when asked and speaks in response to you.
He doesn't "take part" in learning the way the dogs do. He just figures out things get him cuddles or food and he does them again and again.
Awww, your cat sounds great. I guess that's what training's all about, you want something and they want something in return, and as long as the reward is good enough, they'll probably do it! 0 -
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A previous cat was taught not to go on worktops, and he didn't. Not at all, not even if there was food there. Of my current two cats, one doesn't go on worktops anyway, because -presumably - she doesn't want to.
you sure about that???
what a cat does when no one is watching is a very different thing to when the staff are home!
For anyone who thinks their darling kitty doesn't go on the worktops and tables when you are not there, sprinkle flour on the worktops...the little kitty paws will be clear to see - you can then see from that where else kitty went when you follow the floury paw prints! That's not to say they do it all the time - only when the mood takes them!
Also, I find that if the kitchen counter is a bit untidy or there is bits and bobs on it, it sparks madam's curiousity and she is more likely to jump up. If the worktop is clear and there is nothing of interest to her up there, she will by and large not bother. But I say not bother, not that she never does it, cos I know full well that she does jump up there from time to time.0 -
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only one cat fits the bill,its called a savannah cat,it will walk on a lead and even bring things back that you throw,its very loving [like a dog] and good with family,children,dogs, and people,and very loyal.I've been kind of thinking about getting a cat for a while now, and I haven't had a cat since I was a kid so there are lots of things that I would need to figure out before seriously considering it! One of the main things is the question in the title, can cats be trained like dogs to behave well, not walk around on the counters and eat the food off your plate etc? Or do cats just follow their own rules and not really listen? I'd imagine they're probably more stubborn than dogs, since they don't have that same need to please their owner, but with the right training, would it be possible to have an obedient, well-behaved cat?0 -
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Wow, savannah cats are gorgeous - and huge! :eek: I would love a dog-like cat but they definitely look like an expensive breed. So I wouldn't mind getting just an ordinary mixed breed cat.
Also, about walking on the counters, I wouldn't mind if the cat did it while I was gone, I'm sure an indoor cat is pretty clean so it wouldn't be too unhygienic. As long as I won't have to keep shouting at it to go away while I'm cooking or something.0 -
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He can also open doors with handles (jumps and pulls the handle), attempts to open the fridge by lying on his back and pulling the door with his front paws (thankfully it doesn't work!)
and he can knock on the hall door (jumps at the knocker) to get an answer.
Haha my sister's cat does those things as well. They had to move where they keep the cat food as he had actually figured out how to get the cupboard door open, pull out a pouch of food and rip it open. She came home one day to find 6 pouches opened and a very bloated and full cat looking back at her from a felix-induced food coma! lol 0 -
Our cat's kind of semi-trainable. He'll basically learn things he finds interesting / amusing and ignore everything else.
If you call his name, you get an instant response of a load of meows and he comes hurtling into the room. Or if you're outside, he'll come hurtling down a tree / down the street / over a wall or whatever and you'll be greeted with a big head but / face rub on your leg.
If you mention the word 'dinner' he goes completely into a frenzy of meows looking for food.
Same goes for "breakfast", "lunch", "would anyone like a cup of tea?"... he's learnt almost every word / phrase that could indicate someone's going to the kitchen to make food.
He seems to understand "out" if you want to get him out of the room or "go to bed" (he'll go to bed).
If you say "get ... (name)" he goes over and gives them a rub and meows.
He can also open doors with handles (jumps and pulls the handle), attempts to open the fridge by lying on his back and pulling the door with his front paws (thankfully it doesn't work!)
and he can knock on the hall door (jumps at the knocker) to get an answer.
We tried training him to sit. He just looks at you going "meow" in a totally puzzled way.
But, I'd say yeah cats are quite trainable but you will not train them to do anything they don't actually find somehow useful / entertaining.
Dogs on the other hand like to learn stuff purely for the sake of rewards / approval. Cats basically don't give a damn about that kind of thing. They're rather more self-assured and their idea of socialising is pretty much just sleeping on top of you.
Cats are social animals, they're just not complex pack hunters like dogs. They do actually live in colonies though and they do interact.
They also do not understand boundaries really at all. A dog seems to learn rules about where it can/can't go.
A cat will just accept that you have said 'get down' and will wait until you've gone away / sneak back when it thinks you're not looking.
Wow, your cat sounds very smart! Thanks for the great post, it's very helpful. This thread has certainly made me want to get a cat a bit more. 0 -
his thread has certainly made me want to get a cat a bit more.
I think then you should also hear the bad :pac:
My boy decides that anytime between 2 - 6am is a perfect time to wake me up for more food/different water/look to get into my bed.
He mioaws to get into a room, out of the room, onto my bed, onto my knee.
He loves to catch mice and bring them UP THE STAIRS and into the bathroom, perfect for late night toilet goers to touch with their bare feet.
He doesn't like using the litter box, and prefers to wait until morning when he can get out and go in the flower bed at the back of my garden. But if for one night I don't provide a litter box, he poo's in the bath.
EDIT: He plays with his food and throws it around the hallway, but if it's particularly tasty (like when I was changing him over from wet to dry) he tried to knock the spoon from my hands, practically unhinges his jaw and shovels it in like a snake then immediately vomits it back up. For a while he had to be fed a tiny bit at a time until he got over his "wet food excitement".0 -
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Ha, thanks for the reality check! I wish I could test what it's like owning a cat for a couple of weeks to see if I'd like it or not before properly committing to it. I guess every cat is different, but if mine was the type who constantly wakes me at night, destroys everything, is generally very noisy... That would be a lot to get used to. :eek: 0
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I think the rate of attitudes changing in relation to cats as pets in Ireland is changing but trailing behind the changes made in relation to dogs.
There was a time too when dogs were outdoor creatures who were let out daily to roam about with other dogs and explore their territory. People said it was unfair and unnatural to keep a dog in and not allow it its freedom. We now find ways to give our dogs what they need while keeping them and the public safe.
People are not use to caring for cats in the same way as they care for their dogs. Cats are sometimes thought of as animals that are free from too much responsibility. If they live, fine, if they die, get a new one.
Cats communicate their needs and their illnesses differently than dogs and we need to learn to understand their language and what they are saying to us.
Sometimes that language is being said in nuisance behaviour, learning to understand that they are expressing a need means we can decide what to do about it and possibly stop it being a nuisance.
Looking around and reading articles about cat behaviour like this may help. 6 Reasons why your cat wakes you up at night. http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-wakes-you-up-at-night-6-reasonssuomi says
but if mine was the type who constantly wakes me at night, destroys everything, is generally very noisy... That would be a lot to get used to.
If you are worried, as I was initially about the personality of your new pet why not try sites like this that have been minding the cat for a while and are able to post up and tell you more about the personality of the individual cat before you commit to it.
http://www.catsaid.org/adopt_a_cat/adopt_cat.html
All this comes up even more acutely when we are talking about an indoor cat. With an indoor cat we as humans must see to it that as we made that decision to keep a cat indoors we must provide for all the needs of that animal and that may require a better understanding of cats than we use to have.
It seems unnatural to cut a cats claws because we are so use to thinking about outdoor cats who need those claws to defend themselves, to climb and to hunt.
Claws of cats like claws of dogs get worn down when outdoors.
Indoors a cats claws and a dogs claws can get too long.
If yours is an indoors cat it is more fun to play with a cat who has had her claws clipped and kitty may be getting longer play times when she can play without accidentally scratching anyone. Her claws will not be catching in soft furnishings when clipped and she will be able to lay on your lap and pad her paws as much as you and she likes without having to be put down for sticking her nails into you too much.
It seems cats dont scratch on posts and trees or even furniture to shorten their nails Cats scratch because
It conditions the claws by removing the dead outer layer or sheath. (kind of narrower but sharper, not shorter)
It is a way of marking territory by leaving both a visual mark and an odor or scent (cats have scent glands on their paws).
It is a way of stretching the entire body and flexing the feet and claws.
It is used during play.
It may be that cats communicate dominance by scratching in front of other
cats.
A bit more on cats and claws here http://www.caws.org/catclaws.html
As for shedding I cant recommend a de shedding or stripping comb highly enough. My cat and my friends cat simply love being groomed and this comb or the more expensive Furminator takes away fist fulls of loose hair from our short hair cats.
When you start using it first it may seem like you are actually getting too much hair on the comb it just keeps coming out without hurting the cat. But then as you continue use there is obviously less loose hair and it really does reduce the amount of hair left on clothes and furniture.
http://www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/dog_grooming_care/grooming_tools/perfect_care/129852
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